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* Honda today launched a new scooter called Aviator
* Honda aviator produces a maximum power of 7bhp@7000rpm and a maximum torque of 8Nm at 5500 rpm
* Disc brakes at the front will be offered as optional in the Honda aviator
* Honda aviator will be available in five colours – black,red,gray,purple and silver
* Tata Motors today unveiled the much touted one lakh car at the Delhi Auto Expo
* Tata has named the people’s car as ‘NANO’
* Tata stick to the 1 lakh tag and Nano will cost Rs 1 lakh($2500) at the place of production
* The total cost of Nano would be Rs1 lakh + 12.5 VAT (India’s Value Added Tax) + Transportation cost
* Nano is ultra compact with 3.1metres of length. width of 1.5 metres and height of 1.6metres
* Tata’s Nano is powered by an all-aluminium, twin cylinder 623cc engine producing 33PS(bhp) of maximum power
* Tata’s Nano would return a mileage/fuel effiency of 50mpg or over 20kmpl
* Tata’s Nano will be available in two version -Nano Standard and Nano Deluxe
* Nano Deluxe will have A/C and other features
* Tata Nano’s safety features includes crumple zones, seat belts,tubeless tyres and intrusion resistant doors.
* Tata’s Nano is the first car to have two-cylinder engine to use a single balancer shaft
Daimler today launched two new models at the auto expo. The new Mercedes Benz ‘C class’ and ‘CLK class’ are priced at Rs 27 lakh and Rs 60 lakh respectively (ex-showroom Delhi). Daimler would sell two variants of the new C class, petrol and diesel. While the petrol variant would cost Rs 27 lakh, the diesel variant would come for Rs 30 lakh. “With the two launches we are looking to sell 3,000 units in India in the current calendar year. We expect to maintain a double digit sales growth in India over the next 10 years,” Daimler Central Europe, Africa and Asia President Joachim Schmidt told reporters at the 9th Auto Expo. Daimler expects its new facility in Pune, Maharashtra to start commercial operations by next year. The facility would have an installed production capacity of 5,000 units.
Volvo showcased its new sedan C70 at the 9th Auto Expo and said that it will launch the car in India soon. “India is one of the very exciting luxury car market and this is the right time for us to expand in the country. The new C70 is not yet available in India but it might find its way to the country soon,” Volvo Car India MD Paul de Voijs said. Asked when the company was planning to launch the new car in the market, Voijs said, “By showing it in the motor show we will see the response and the enthusiasm in the market and take a call accordingly.”He, however, did not give any specific timing about the launch and price in the Indian Market, but said, “If you compare the prices of C70 in other markets and add up the import duties it will be somewhere between Rs 42-44 lakh.” The Volvo C70 is the second-generation convertible of C70 from the company, with a three-piece retractable hardtop that transforms the vehicle from coupe to convertible at the touch of a button.Volvo already sells S80 as XC90 in India. Volvo also plans to expand its dealership network across India and is targeting sales of over 500 cars.
Volkswagen which showcases ten new vehicles including Tiguan SUV says that it will launch the Jetta sedan in india in 2008. Highlighting their plans for the Indian market, Jochem Heizmann, board member for vehicle production, Volkswagen Group, said: “Starting in 2009, Volkswagen wants to deliver 110,000 cars per year in India.” Volkawagen’s 110,000 unit manufacturing plant in Chakan near Pune is expected to be operational by 2009, and would put together a variant of Polo and Fabia that are scheduled for introduction in 2010. Jetta, on the other hand, would be assembled at the Skoda unit at Aurangabad, while Phaeton would be imported. Volkswagen is also studying the market for introduction of SUV ‘Tiguan.’ Volkswagen already sells Passat and Touareg in the Indian market.
Passenger car segment: Tata Motors today launched the new Sumo Grande, Indigo CS (Compact Sedan) and the Indica Direct Injection Common Rail (DICOR) version which will be progressively available in showrooms through January and beginning of February. The new generation Indica, which goes on sale in the latter part of 2008, was also unveiled at the Auto Expo.
LCV’s and Pick-up: Tata Motors also displayed the Xenon XT (Cross Terrain), Xenon Singe Cab pick-up, Ace 1-tonne & CNG Ace mini-trucks, , a life style pick-up to be launched later in the year.
Commercial Vehicles: From its commercial vehicles business, Tata Motors’ displays include the 28-seater bus and the air conditioned low-entry bus from the joint venture with Marcopolo of Brazil, Tata LPT 3118 TC 8×2 BS II Multi Axle Truck, LPS 4923 TC 6X4 Tractor, LPT 909 EX2 Refrigerated Container Truck, Cargo Panel Van and the Winger Executive – an Office-on-Wheels concept vehicle.
Here’s the details on CNG ace and new one tonne Ace
CNG Ace: The Tata Ace is now available in a CNG version, with a number of features that are a first in its category. The CNG Ace is India’s first MPFI (multi-point fuel injection) mini-truck on CNG, offering good pick-up and engine performance. It is equipped with deceleration cut-off for better fuel economy, another first in its category. Unlike other CNG vehicles, the CNG Ace comes with a user-friendly CNG-level indicator. The Ace meets all safety norms, including frontal crash, roof crush and rear wall strength. To ensure the safety of the driver and co-driver, seat belts are standard fitment. Another never-before safety feature is the distributor-less, non-wasted spark-ignition with misfire detection. It has an ergonomically designed, all-steel cabin, including elegant two-toned seats, clear instrument cluster, utility trays, magazine pockets, twin-blade, twin-speed wipers and combination switches. Disc and drum brakes in the front and rear respectively ensure high performance in sudden braking while the large windscreen and rear window allows for higher level of vision and clarity.
Ace 1-tonne: The high performance, low maintenance Ace 1-tonne, combines a 1-tonne payload mini-truck with sporty car-like features that enhance driver comfort and handling. The Ace 1-tonne comes with Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) for all-weather driveability. Power steering is another performance-enhancing feature that comes as standard. It has an ergonomically designed, all-steel cabin with power windows and body-coloured bumpers and door handles. The Ace 1-tonne is equipped with an immobiliser for vehicle security. Disc and drum brakes in the front and rear respectively ensure high performance in sudden braking.
Xenon XT (Cross Terrain): Tata today launched the new Xenon in two variants Xenon XT and Xenon single cab. The new Xenon XT (Cross Terrain) is a lifestyle pick-up with stylish looks, comfortable interiors and 4 x 4 off-road capabilities. Xenon XT has an electrical shift-on-the-fly mechanism for the 4×4 application with limited slip differential. The vehicle has charcoal grey interiors and can comfortably seat 5. Xenon offers a loading volume of 870 L. Xenon offers car like comfort and convenience features like power steering, power windows, central locking, HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning), electrically adjustable side rear view mirrors and height adjustable seat belts. Xenon also comes equipped with an engine immobiliser, seat belt warning & door open warning, 16 inch alloy wheels and tubeless tyres. Xenon XT is powered by a 3.0 L direct injection common rail (DICOR) diesel engine with a maximum power of 115 PS (at 3000 rpm) and maximum torque of 300 Nm (at 1800 – 2000 rpm). The vehicle will be launched later in 2008 and will be available with a wide accessory package.
Mahindra and Mahindra recently launched Scorpio lifestyle pick-up in india
Xenon Single Cab: The Xenon Single Cab is a pick-up with stylish looks, comfortable interiors and 4×4 off-road capabilities. Xenon Single Cab has an electrical shift-on-the-fly mechanism with limited slip differential that facilitates easy driving. The Xenon Single Cab offers car like comfort and convenience features like power steering, power windows, HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning), electrically adjustable side rear view mirrors with heating and height adjustable seat belts. Other features of the Xenon Single Cab include engine immobiliser and CLU (Central Locking Unit), clear lens head lamp and tail lamp, ignition switch with illumination ring, seat belt warning & door open warning, high mount stop lamp, alloy wheels and tubeless tyres.
Tata today launched the much expected Indica Dicor. The Indica V2 DICOR is powered by common rail diesel engine. Indica Dicor features a water-cooled 1.4 L direct injection common rail (DICOR) diesel engine with exhaust gas recirculation and an oxidation catalyst with a turbocharger and an intercooler. Indica Dicor produces an output of 70 PS @ 4000 rpm and an increased torque of 140 Nm @ 1800-3000 rpm. Tata says that the indica with the Dicor engine will result in excellent pick up and a superior overall driving experience. The DICOR engine also ensures linear power delivery from the start and up to 15% better fuel efficiency. The Indica V2 DICOR goes on sale immediately with a price (ex-showroom, Delhi) of Rs.4.25 lakhs. Tata launched the Indica V2 in India in 1998. In 2005, Tata launched the Indica V2 Turbo, a turbo-charged diesel car.
The new generation Indica has been given a complete makeover and surprises with its stunning looks with a two box construction. The new generation has a sporty frontal look with its distinctive wide-eyed stylised headlamps and pronounced signature Tata grill. The look is accentuated by muscular wheel arches sharp creases merging with its contoured surfaces and the sleek, full-length tail lamps. In the interior, the distinctive instrument cluster is now placed in the centre of the dashboard between the passenger and the driver seats. The new generation Indica is bigger than the current Indica with a length of 3795 mm (existing 3675 mm), width of 1695 mm, height of 1550 mm and wheelbase of 2470 mm (existing 2400 mm). The rear sloping wind screen also increases the sense of spaciousness in the passenger cabin. The new generation Indica will be available with a new range of world class diesel and petrol engines and transmissions with a new suspension. The car will be offered with a new 1.3 litre Quadra-Jet Common Rail Direct Injection Diesel engine and a 1.2 litre Safire MPFI VVT Petrol engine, which will be manufactured at the new Tata-Fiat joint venture plant at Ranjangaon in Maharashtra, besides existing Tata powertrains. The car will sport a 5 speed synchromesh gearbox with overdrive, bigger 175/65 R 14 tubeless tyres and a twist beam suspension. The new generation Indica will be launched in the latter part of 2008 and will coexist with the present Indica range at a higher price point.
Honda today unveiled its new automatic scooter Aviator priced at Rs 39,675 (ex-showroom Delhi). The 102cc powered scooter will be available across the country from March onwards. The company is targeting to sell 1 lakh units of Aviator in the next fiscal.”Aviator is targeted at males and we plan to sell about as many as 1 lakh units of the scooter in the next fiscal. Our overall target of sales is around 1 million units of which 7 lakh will be scooters and three lakh motorcycles during this period.” HMSI Head Sales and Marketing N K Rattan told reporters at the 9th Auto Expo.